Pre-Abortion Screenings Required Under New Nebraska Law

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In what would be a first in the United States, Nebraska appears poised to enact a law that requires doctors to screen women for mental and physical problems before they perform an abortion.

If a woman isn't screened before an abortion, she could file a civil suit. Doctors who perform an abortion without screening the patient will not face criminal charges and won't lose their medical licenses, the Associated Press reported.

The bill received final approval from the Legislature Monday, and Republican Gov. Dave Heineman's office said he will sign the bill Tuesday, along with another bill that would ban abortions for women more than 20 weeks pregnant.

Pro-choice groups condemned both bills. They said the first bill will limit abortions by intimidating doctors who might perform them, while the second bill blocks late-term abortions in one of the few states where doctors are willing to perform them, the AP reported.

It's expected that both bills will be challenged in court.